Can you believe it? Paddy and Plunkett are still exploring the Eden Project! I always thought that the main draw of this awesome place was the exotic plant communities that live inside the biomes, but WOW was I wrong! It turns out that there’s a lot to see outside those bubble-like domes too. And, to Plunkett’s relief, there don’t appear to be any jaguars lurking in the undergrowth this time around. Let’s take a closer look!
First stop – the vegetable garden. This is definitely Plunkett’s cup of tea!
And after “borrowing” a light lunch of green salad – much better than the picnic Paddy had planned – he also enjoyed the beautifully laid out wildflower beds.
And although Paddy thought he’d found a quicker way to get around the outdoor gardens…
… This incredible life-sized driftwood horse sculpture by local artist Heather Jansch proved no match for a set of wheels. Paddy even let Plunkett drive!
And they discovered all kinds of treasures on their way! First up, a willow dome with honeysuckle growing around the branches…
I bet this place smells AMAZING on summer evenings! They also met an elegant reclining lady in the forest.
Paddy was particularly impressed with her hairdo, but she remained close-lipped about who her stylist is. He didn’t mind though, because he caught sight of this around the next corner.
“Plunkett! What is THAT?”
“Ha! It’s an industrial plant!”
An Industrial Flame Plant, to be exact. This striking sculpture is surrounded by thickets of plants that can be grown and burned as biomass, a means of energy production that is renewable, carbon-neutral and provides a viable alternative to fossil fuels.
And look at Plunkett, standing right next to a “danger” sign! Could it be that he’s feeling a shade more daring than usual?
Well, maybe… But he still let Paddy forge a path through the heather forest that they visited next!
The sun-warmed heather perfumed the air, and the boys were surrounded by drifts of pink, purple and white flowers… Which were buzzing with hundreds of busy bees.
And further along, they discovered just how important this bee restaurant could be!
But then, the honeybee hum suddenly seemed to get a bit louder.
“Paddy, do you hear that?”
Glancing over his shoulder, Paddy realised that Plunkett probably wouldn’t take particularly well to the giant bee that had just landed behind them.
“Ah, it’s nothing. Let’s go and see what other adventures the English Riviera has in store for us!”
Join the lads again in a couple of weeks, when they’ll be stopping off in some of the peaceful towns that make this part of the world such a lovely place to visit! Meanwhile, we’ll be back on Friday with the latest news from Beastie Towers!
See you then!
What a cool place!
I really love your humour and your adventures! Keep them coming 🙂
Aw, thanks Patricia! I will… And cheers for dropping in to visit! 😀
“Industrial Plant”! That was awesome! Great photos and wonderful sculptures. Glad those two are still having fun exploring!
Thanks Tierney… Gosh, I wish I could get out and about as much as these guys do! I really liked the Industrial Flame Plant too! Cheers for your lovely comment 😀
I was enjoying this post until I got to the car photo and saw “ed” on the cloth laying on the seat. Still, I’m imagining how much honey that giant bee might be able to put out and may need to reconsider my hive design so I can fit a few of them into it.
Alright, I think your blog cannibalized my comment. My words! Give me back my words!!!
The Dark Lord Sheeran strikes again! By daring to criticise him, you somehow managed to consign your comments to the “needs approval” pile! I think I’ve fixed it now, though. Sorry ’bout that! And yes, I think one giant bee would keep you in honey and beeswax for aaaages – plus imagine how cool you’d look when you take it for walkies around the neighbourhood!
Also, thanks for braving the minefield that leaving a comment on my blog has apparently become! 😥
I now know the secret…I have to go in through Reader to sneak in comments. Apparently going in to comment through email is so 2017. 🙄
I imagine if I had a couple of those giant bees, I might be able to harness a basket to them and fly around the neighborhood. No walkies needed.
I can see it now… Look, here comes Tammie in her bee chariot! 😂 Your comments seem to be working fine again… Although I did have to fish a couple out of the spam folder last night! Maybe you should think twice about criticising the Dark Lord Sheeran next time…
I’m going to have to sacrifice some pre-teen girls to make up for my anti-Sheeran comments and get back in the good graces of this all-powerful being.
You’ll definitely have to do something. Otherwise, he will seek out everywhere you need to travel for the rest of your life and play a gig there to confound your plans!
Alright, your blog has been cannibalizing my comments…twice. One more try…
I was really enjoying this post until in the car photo I noticed “ed” written on a piece of cloth on the car seat. However, I forced my way through the rest of the post and am now wondering how I can attract some of those giants bees to my hive. Think of the honey production from those things!
Wowow more gorgeous pictures! That heather is GLORIOUS. And it looks like Plunkett’s bravery over facing the jaguars has emboldened him! I think it might be short lived once he catches sight of that formidable bee though…. Hhahaha I think Forest Lady has the same stylist as I do – you can tell Paddy that that rugged look can be obtained by rolling around on your pillow and then not bothering to use a comb.
Hahaha! It’s a good look… Mine just goes flat! Paddy does seem to be overlooking the fact that he doesn’t actually have any hair to style, but there you go. 😆 I reeeeally wish I could have seen the heather patch, it looked incredible! Cheers for joining the lads on their latest adventure!
Hahaha awww Pads… perhaps he’s hinting at you fashioning him a little wig?
Perhaps indeed! I wouldn’t be surprised if he was a smidge jealous of the luxuriant mops of hair I give my Redhead Beasties…
I’m so glad to see that such a beautiful place exists, and is home to all sorts of plant-life creativity and flourishing. The pictures you took convey a celebration of life and interconnection. Marvelous! Is the willow dome a human-made structure (must be?). I have never seen one before (how brilliant to bring together the natural willow’s droop to form a dome!). And the heather forest… in that light… with those colours. I’m positively transported. 🙂
Awww, thanks Shirley! Yes, I’m not sure of the exact mechanics of creating a willow dome, but I imagine it makes use of the wood’s natural bendiness to essentially weave a kind of living basket. Then as the trees continue to grow, the leaves fill in the gaps and make a proper roof! It’s also super-easy to plant… If I remember correctly, all you have to do is stick a short peg of freshly-cut willow into the ground and it’s away!
As for the Eden Project, I thought letting Paddy and Plunkett loose in the place would be as good as visiting myself… Now I just want to go more! It’s even better than I’d imagined. Thanks for popping in!
Wow. That is truly incredible. Sounds and looks like willow is perfectly suited to make beautiful, living sculptures! I’m glad that P&P were able to enjoy all the sights – the place definitely lives up to its name!
This place is astonishing. I would so love to see it myself … but at least there’s Paddy and Plunkett who bring the world to my screen! Thanks, guys! I can’t wait to hear about your next adventures.
I’m glad Plunkett didn’t see that bee behind him, it’s giving me shivers just looking at the photo! I’ve had so much fun exploring Eden with the boys
Awww, thanks Hannah! And yes, I’m pretty sure that giant bee would have made Plunkett a gibbering wreck for the rest of the boys’ stay in Cornwall! 😂 Thanks for stopping in!